The #1 Reason Most People Don’t Get Results

Editors Note: This blog turned into a rant/brain storm/I don’t know. I go off the path in spots (or don’t even address the actual headline of the blog), just hang on and keep reading. Post feedback in the comments and lets get a discussion going Thanks. Also I just put in some pictures of Tokyo to break up the post. -Kevin

At the FitCast we get TONS of e-mail questions about nutrition and program design. These questions tend to fall into one of these categories:

I wouldn’t have clients that spend $250+/week to reach and maintain their goals

There wouldn’t be a hit show that is just about people losing weight

That is another thing I want to hit on down the road. Why are shows like the Biggest Loser entertaining?

The obesity rate would be going down and not skyrocketing like Apple stock

If it was so simple:

There wouldn’t be a new book or program hitting the Internet each week guaranteeing to be the answer. It would probably be unprofessional to name some of the latest BS that has hit but if you possess even a Level 1 BS Filter, you will be able to avoid them.

No it is not as simple as eat protein and vegetables, and lift 3 days/week with some conditioning.

And I get it, and I will also defend it partially, this is an industry. We can’t forget that. Many peopele (myself included) make training people and selling stuff online their main source of income. Just don’t pander to the audience. Be real.

This reminds me of a blog post I want to write on the similarities between the fitness industry and the United States congress. Think about it…

You Have To Put the Work In (Mentally and Physically) if You Want to Change

Mental

The Mental aspect of change (behavior modification) is the 10,000 foot mountain you must climb in -20 degree weather with only glow stick to illuminate the path.

I have clients (and see many others) that come three days per week. I can give them the best strength training and nutrition program in the world, and I usually do :), but if they won’t eat right and continue to justify some pizza here and ice cream there, then all I can do is make them stronger, healthier, and help them live a longer high quality life. And to be honest, for some of them that is OK, they don’t care about being sub 10% bodyfat. Feeling, moving, sleeping, and breathing better along with higher energy levels is plenty for them and justifies the cost of training with me.

But for the others I want to be able to help them mentally. After reading/listening to a ton of books I still don’t have an outline on how to do this on a consistent basis.

Raise you hand if you have read a self help book. Keep you hand raised if that book didn’t change your life like you thought it would.

That is what I am talking about. It is a bigger hurdle than most of us think as coaches/trainers for our clients, and for those trying to do it on their own. We can’t be self rightous ass holes that have all of the answers and think everyone else is just a worthless carbon based life form.

I will come back to this in a moment…

Physical

This is easier than the mental part, but still a challenge in of itself.

Yes, you have to get off your butt and into the gym.

Yes, you have to make time to train

Yes, it is harder when you are tired

Yes, it sucks when the gym is busy

Yes, it sucks when the music in the background sucks

Yes, lifting next to someone who is doing quarter lunges and asks you if they can work in with you at the squat rack to do something stupid like curls, spine exploding deadlifts, or 300lb squats that look more like someone shitting standing up

Oh wait, that is all mental too isn’t it? I will wait while you go collect the pieces of your brain after I just blew your mind… Kidding aside the point I want to make is that physical performance is also mental.

With that being said, there will be no more Sixth Sense like revelations from here on out. Just answers.

Maybe it will make more sense this way. Most won’t follow a boring program.

Just look at crossfit. Say what you will about the program, but people who are, “crossfitters” LOVE and swear by it.

OK I think that is where I will stop because I have to head into the facility, check back for Part II tomorrow.